Politics & Government
Paul Ryan Thanks Sandy Storm Relief Volunteers, Urges Red Cross Donations
Vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan made a quick stop in Hudson where he thanked a group of volunteers working to sort and box food donations for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Hundreds turned out for the event.
UPDATE (6:41 p.m., Oct. 30, 2012): Hundreds turned out Tuesday to see Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan as he stopped for a campaign event at the GOP's Hudson Victory Center.
The Wisconsin congressman thanked Hurricane Sandy relief volunteers who were busy boxing up food donations inside. He then walked outside into the River City Center parking lot and stood on a chair to address hundreds of people who gathered outside.
"As you know, we have a lot of fellow citizens in the Northeast who are suffering in the wake of this hurricane," Ryan said. "It's great to see Americans come out to help those of us who care about our fellow citizens and are helping those who are in need."
Find out what's happening in Hudsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The food items collected Tuesday will be sent to Nurish America for distribution to Sandy victims. Ryan urged those in the crowd to donate money to the American Red Cross and donate blood.
The following Republican politicians also were in attendance at Tuesday's event, and they each delivered a short impromptu speech ahead of Ryan's arrival:
Find out what's happening in Hudsonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
- State Rep. Dean Knudson, running for reelection against Diane Odeen
- State Rep. John Murtha, running for reelection against Jim Swanson
- State Sen. Sheila Harsdorf, running for reelection against Dan Olson
- Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, running for U.S. Senate against U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
- Our Storify post from today's event: VP Candidate Paul Ryan Visits Hudson
FROM OTHER MEDIA
- Pioneer Press: Paul Ryan touts storm relief effort during Hudson stop
- KMSP: Bill Clinton, Paul Ryan in Twin Cities metro as candidates focus on Sandy relief
- ABC News: Paul Ryan Balances Storm Relief with Politics Just Seven Days Out
- KARE: VP hopeful Paul Ryan schedules busy Wis. trip
- CBS News: Taking a break from politics, Ryan focuses on Sandy
- WCCO: Clinton, Ryan Visits Prompt Question: Is Minn. In Play?
- MPR: Ryan greets supporters in Hudson
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Need more info?: Candidate information, sample ballots, voting information, polling places and more. HUDSON PATCH ELECTION GUIDE
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UPDATE (10:23 a.m., Oct. 30, 2012): Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who is running for a U.S. Senate seat against U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, will join U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan today during the Republican vice presidential candidate's stops in La Crosse and Hudson.
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ORIGINAL POST (9:50 p.m., Oct. 29, 2012): Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan is scheduled to make a campaign stop in Hudson on Tuesday afternoon, according to St. Croix County Republican Party Chairman Jesse Garza.
Ryan will scheduled to visit the GOP's Hudson Victory Center (213 S. Second St.) at about 4 p.m. Tuesday to thank local volunteers and donors who are collecting items for Hurricane Sandy storm relief efforts. He is scheduled to make a similar stop at the party's La Crosse Victory Center earlier in the day.
"It's a wonderful gesture to help out the people on the East Coast who are going through a terrible natural disaster," Garza said. "For Congressman Ryan to come out and say 'thank you' exemplifies the kind of candidate and man he is."
Ryan's western Wisconsin visits come a week before Election Day, and are a clear appeal to energize conservative voters in his home state, which one of a few swing states that will decide the race for the White House on Nov. 6. Up for grabs are the state's 10 electoral votes.
Candidates, surrogates, activists and volunteers from both parties are continunuing their rigorous campaign schedules and get-out-the-vote efforts in the final week of the race as more than 60 million people will feel some sort of direct impact from Hurricane Sandy, known as "Frankenstorm," in the Northeastern United States.
To help those people, Garza is asking those interested in helping to bring some of the following items to Tuesday's event:
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Cases of bottled water
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- First-aid kits
- Baby supplies (diapers, wipes, formula, bottles)
- Dog supplies (dog food, collars, leashes)
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Need more info?: Candidate information, sample ballots, voting information, polling places and more. HUDSON PATCH ELECTION GUIDE
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